Justice Saeed-uz-Zaman to replace Ibad as governor of Sindh: sources

KARACHI: The government has decided in principle to remove Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ibad from his position after almost 14 years to hold the office, ARY News reported.

The decision in this regard was taken during a meeting between President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad today.

Sources informed that the PM and the premier had decided in the meeting to elevate Justice (retired) Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui on the coveted slot.

Ibad has been in the office since December 27, 2002.

Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui in an exclusive talk with ARY News confirmed the government’s contact with him over the matter. He said if he will be offered the office of governor he will accept it. He said the law and order has deteriorated in Sindh and improvement of law and order will be his first priority.

Replying a question he said Governor Ishtarul Ebad maintained good relations with all political parties. He said he don’t know why Ebad is being changed as governor. Only federal government could say something about it, he further said.

To a question about MQM factions, Justice (retd) Siddiqui said he feels the factions led by Mustafa Kamal and Farooq Sattar will join hands in near future.

Justice (retd) Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui

A prominent jurist, Justice Siddiqui held top judicial offices during his professional career. He was Chief Justice of Pakistan during the military coup by General (retd) Pervez Musharraf in 1999. He defied to military ruler Musharraf who asked him to take a new oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO).

As a consequence of this, the military regime forced him to step down from his position. The time period of his tenure was shortened due to his refusal.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz during the 2008 presidential election of Pakistan named Saeed-uz-zaman Siddiqui as the party candidate to replace Pervez Musharraf as President of Pakistan. He lost the election to Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan People’s Party.

Justice Siddiqui was again selected for running as the candidate for the presidential polls in 2013, but at the last moment his name was replaced with Mamnoon Hussain.